Railway truck axle box mounting



Oct. 23, 1951 G. F. COUCH RAILWAY TRUCK AXLE BOX MOUNTING 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed Sept. 12, 1945 Glenn I. ('0 11011 his (Ittorneg Oct. 23, 1951 e. F. COUCH 2,572,113

RAILWAY TRUCK AXLE BOX MOUNTING Filed Sept. 12, 1945 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 'Jmnentor i atentecl Oct. 23, 1951 RAILWAY TRUCK AXLE BOX MOUNTING Glenn F. Couch, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Symington-Gould Corporation,

Depew,

N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application September 12, 1945, Serial No. 615,760

23 Claims.

The invention pertains to a railway truck and more particularly to a journal box mounting therefor.

An object of the invention is the provision of an improved and simplified means for controlling a relative vertical movement between a side frame and journal box of a railway truck.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a railway truck, of an improved arrangement and association of friction means interposed between a journal box and side frame to control or snub relative vertical and transverse movements of the journal box and side frame.

A feature of the invention resides in a double coil spring supporting a side frame with one of the springs being carried directly by a journal box and another of the springs being carried by a Wedge.

Another feature of the invention resides in vertically spaced shelves carried by a journal box with one of the shelves carrying a shoe and the other shelf and the shoe carrying side frame supporting or load carrying springs.

The above objects and features as well as numerous others will become apparent from the succeeding description of an exemplified form of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a partial side elevational and partial vertical sectional view of a journal box mounting embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial plan and partial horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in a direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view similar to the showing of Figure 3 except that the components are illustrated in a somewhat abnormal position.

Referring now in detail to the several figures of the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts, the numeral I is employed to point out, in a somewhat general manner, a railway truck only a pertinent portion of which is illustrated. The railway truck comprises a pair of transversely spaced counterpart side frames only a portion 2 of one of the side frames being shown in the drawings since the undisclosed portion thereof may be of any desired or optional design. Generally considered, the side frames are tied together intermediate their ends by a bolster (not shown) and each side frame comprises a top or'compression member 3 and a bottom or tension member 4. The tension 2 member has a portion '5 thereof that extends upwardly at an angleto merge with the adjacent portion of the compression member from whence they both continue toward the extremity of the side frame as a unit to form a housing or open receptacle 6. The housing has an upper pocket 6a desirably defined at its vertical limits by a horizontal web I of the compression member and a substantially horizontal web 8 of the tension member both of which are joined by transversely spaced walls 9. Forming a downward continuation of the pocket forming components are a pair of longitudinally spaced, depending jaws, guideways, columns or guide columns it each of which is formed by an end wall I I, the transverse limits of Which merge into an inner or inboard flange i2 and an outer or outboard flange It. The columns, preferably channel-shaped in horizontal section (seeFigure 2), open downwardly of the truck and toward one another to present a clear transverse opening therebetween. Disposed within the clear opening of the side frame is a journal box [5 arranged to house a journal or an extremity of an axle of a wheel and axle assembly l6. As illustrated in the drawings, the particularly disclosed journal box is designed for the use of anti-friction or roller bearings (not shown) but, as will be fully appreciated, a journal box for the accommodation of a friction hear-- ing may be quite easily used or employed in lieu of the roller bearing journal box since the particular type of bearing employed is of no moment insofar as the present invention is concerned.

As previously indicated, the side frame is arranged to move vertically with respect to the journal box and toward the accomplishment of the above there has been provided a flexible, yieldable or resilient means characterized by a double coil or helical spring I! in supporting relation with the side frame. Each double coil spring, made up of an outer coil spring 18 and an inner coil spring I9, is disposed preferably at each side of the journal box and extends vertically through an accommodating aperture 20 in the web 8 of the tension member into the upper pocket Ba and a related column it. A rocker or displaceable means or top spring cap 2| surmounts each double coil spring and is provided with a transversely arcuate, top, cylindrical surface 22 bearing upwardly against a plane seat 23 on the compression member web 7. This arcuate and plane surface relationship permits a somewhat free rolleror rocker action of the upper extremity of each double coil spring as the journal box moves transversely of the truck relative to the side frame.

Each spring cap has a downwardly facing spring seat 24 against which the upper extremity of a related outer coil bears and a downstanding ring or collar 25 centering the outer coil spring and retaining it in a predetermined position. This collar of each cap also functions as a seat for the upper extremity of a related inner coil spring as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. Each spring cap has longitudinally extending, oppositely directed ears or lugs 26 which pass between longitudinally and transversely spaced shoulders 27, the latter of which straddle the spring cap to prevent it from shifting from its preset or illustrated position. The shoulders 2! are formed integrally with the web I and walls 9 with sufficient clearance being provided between the caps and shoulders to allow for a free movement of the caps.

Because of the inherent characteristics of the double coil springs which tend to allow the vibrations of the springs to synchronize with the external impulses to which the truck structure is subjected in service, a friction creating means or mechanism is incorporated in the truck structure to check, control or snub the action of the coil springs. Toward the accomplishment of the above there is provided a rubbing or wear plate or liner 28 preferably removably secured to each end wall ll of the guide columns through the medium of carriage head bolts 29 and 2911 with the latter having heads thereof within the plane of the plates and thereby permitting the liners to present an unobstructed, rubbing, inwardly facing surface 38. Outstanding horizontally from each side wall 3! of the journal box is a pair of vertically spaced shelves, ledges or abutments 32 each of which comprise a top or upper shelf 33 and a lower or bottom shelf 34 and both of which extend into a related column but, however, terminate short of the vertical plane face The lower shelf at each journal box side is provided with a surf-ace 35 projecting outwardly and downwardly from the journal box with this inclining, declining, cantedor sloping surface being angularly disposed relative to an upper shelf. The inclined shelf extends transversely of the journal box to be formed integrally with reinforcing or stiffening ribs 36, the latter of which underlie the journal box and extend part of the way up the sides thereof as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 particularly of the drawings.

Carried by or resting upon each inclined shelf is a wedge or shoe 31 desirably having a portion thereof of narrower width than the lower shelf and this narrower portion being provided with an inclined, declined or slopin wall or surface 38 bearing upon and coplanar with the canted surface 35 so that these surfaces are arranged to direct the shoe toward a related rubbing plate. The lower extremity of the sloping shoe wall terminates in a vertical rubbing, or brushing plate 39 which is in intimate contact with the inwardly facing surface of the liner so that upon any relative movement between the journal box and side frame, the creation of frictional forces on these contiguous surfaces will check, control or retard this movement. The brushing plate of each shoe is desirably of a width corresponding to the transverse distance over the stiffening ribs and projects upwardly beyond the extended horizontal plane of the top shelf to present an appreciable area for contacting the adjacent liner.

Upstanding vertically from. the slopin wall 38 4 of each shoe is a ring-like or annular post 40 desirably of the same or similar outside diameter as the inner coil spring for which it functions as a seat. Because of the post of each shoe being below the plane of the upper shelf the latter is provided with an opening 4| of suitable diameter and through which the inner coil spring of each double coil reaches the subjacent shoe. The upper shelf of each set of shelves functions as a spring seat for the lower extremity of a related coil and, as will be noted, while both coils act asload-carrying springs to support the side frame from the journal box, the outer coil of eachset is carried directly by the journal box and the companion inner coil is employed additionally as a shoe urging or force-imparting medium. The lower shelf is connected to each upper shelf by an upward or vertical continuation of the stiffening ribs which extend beyond the plane of each upper shelf to form braces 42 thereby preventing a transverse shifting of the outer coil from its top shelf seat (see Figure 3).

As previously indicated, the journal box will be urged transversely of the truck by external impulses towhich it will be subjected in service. Any such transverse movement will be checked or snubbed by the frictional forces created by the brushing action between the liner surfaces and the shoe rubbing plates and if the impulses are of sufficient magnitude this transverse movernent will continue until a journal box stiffening rib comes to bear or rest against either the inboard flanges i2 of the column or the outboard flanges 13 thereof. This abnormalrelationship of parts is illustrated clearly in Figure 4 of the drawings. Since an impulse in one direction may not be followed by an equal or near equal counter impulse it is desirable to provide some means which will tend toreturn the journal box to its normal position. In the present invention this counter-force is supplied without the necessity of addin any elements or components to the structure already described. This is preferably accomplished by providing the lower extremities of each coil spring with a fiat or relatively flat surface 43 so that while the upper extremity of each spring seat is allowed a free pivotal movement this movement, however, is not provided for at the lower extremity of each set. Accordingly, any transverse movement of the journal box relative to the side frame will cause the sets to become distorted as clearly illustrated in. Figure 4 and because of the inherent tendency of acoil spring to assume its normal disposition or configuration, the forces built up in the distorted coil springs will tend to urge the journal box back to its normal position.

For reasons that are obvious and well known to those skilled. in the art to which this invention appertains, a stop or limiting means underlies the journal box with this means characterized by a pair of l -shaped lugs 44 each of which has a horizontal leg 45 extending through a column into a clear opening thereof. Each lug horizontal leg terminates in a vertical leg 46 which lies in back of the related column end wall to be held in position by the bolt 29a. An unscrewing action of the nut of each bolt 29a will allow the lug to be withdrawn as indicated by diagrammatic lines in Figure 1 to thereby facilitate the removal of the journal box from the side frame.

From the above it will be noted'that various changes and alterations may be. made to the illustrated and described construction without departing from within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combination of, spaced shelves outstanding from each side of said journal box, wedge means engaging some of said shelves and being directed thereby into frictional engagement with said side frame to snub both of said movements, spring means acting between others of said shelves and side frame, and resilient means within said spring means and acting against said wedge means.

2. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combination of,

upper and lower shelves outstanding from each side of said journal box, means engaging said lower shelves and being directed thereby into frictional engagement with said side frame to snub both of said "movements, load carrying spring means acting between said upper shelves and side frame, and spring means within said load carrying spring means and acting against said first named means.

3. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combination of, spaced shelves outstanding from each side of said journal box, means engaging some of said shelves and being directed thereby into frictional engagement with said side frame, to snub both of said movements, coil spring means having substantially flat ends bearing upon others of said shelves, helical spring means having substantially flat ends bearing upon said means, and rocker means positioned between all of said spring means and side frame.

4. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combination of, spaced shelves outstanding from each side of said journal box, means engaging some of said shelves and being directed thereby into frictional engagement with said side frame to snub both of said movements, coil spring means having substantially fiat ends bearing upon others of said shelves, rocker means interposed between said coil spring means and side frame, and spring means acting against said first named means.

5; In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combination of, guideways on said side frame embracing said journal box, shelves outstanding from said journal box into said guideways, means directed by some of said shelves into frictional engagement with said guideways, coil spring means carried by others of said shelves, helical spring means carried by said first named means, and movable means between said coil and helical spring means and said side frame.

6. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combination of,

guideways on said side frame embracing said coil and helical spring means and said side frame.

7. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combination of, angularly disposed shelves outstanding from each side of said journal box, wedge means carried by some of said shelves and being directed toward said side frame to frictionally engage the latter for snubbing both of said movements, a load carrying spring means carried by others of said shelves and supporting said side frame, and resilient means within the confines of said load carrying spring means for urging said wedge means.

8. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combination of, a horizontal shelf and an inclined shelf outstanding from each side of said journal box, braces connecting said shelves, means carried by said inclined shelves and being directed thereby into frictional engagement with said side frame to control both of said movements, and spring: means acting between said side frame and said horizontal shelves and means; said spring means; being positioned by said braces.

9. In a railway car truck wherein a sideframe; and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combinatiom of, vertically spaced horizontal and inclined! shelves outstanding from each side of said journal box, a shoe engaging each inclined shelf and. said side frame for frictionally controlling both of said movements, spring means acting between each horizontal shelf and shoe and said side; frame for the support of the latter, and movable means interposed between said spring means and side frame.

10. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and journal box are arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combination of, vertically spaced horizontal and inclined shelves outstanding from each side of said journal box, a shoe engaging each inclined shelf and said side frame for frictionally controlling both of said movements, spring means acting between each horizontal shelf and shoe and said side frame for the support of the latter, and movable means interposed between said spring means and side frame; some of said spring means extending through said horizontal shelves.

11. In a journal box arranged for vertical movement relative to a side frame, the combination of, side walls, a horizontal shelf outstanding from each side wall, a canted shelf outstanding from each side wall and spaced directly below said horizontal shelf, and a friction shoe carried by said canted shelf for frictionally engaging said side frame.

12. In a journal box arranged for vertical movement relative to a side frame, the combination of, side walls joining top and bottom walls, a substantially horizontal shelf outstanding from each side wall below a top of said journal box, an inclined shelf below said horizontal shelf extending from each side wall and substantially in the same general direction as said first named shelf and a friction shoe carried by said inclined shelf for frictionally engaging said side frame.

13. In a journal box arranged for vertical movement relative to a side frame, the combination of, side walls, a substantially horizontal shelf extending away from each side wall, an inclined shelf extending downwardly away from each side wall below said first named shelf and a friction.

shoe carried by said inclined shelf for frictionally engaging said side frame.

14. In a journal box arranged for vertical movement relative to a side frame, the combination of, side walls, oppositely directed substantially horizontal shelves carried by said side walls, substantially oppositely directed inclined shelves outstanding from said side walls below said first named shelves and a friction shoe carried by said inclined shelf for frictionally engaging said side frame.

15. In a journal box, the combination of, side walls, oppositely directed substantially horizontal shelves carried by said side walls, apertures in said shelves, and ledges below said shelves and carried by said side walls; said ledges having inclined surfaces in substantial vertical alignment with said apertures.

16. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and a journal box are arranged for relative vertical movement, the combination of, vertically spaced shelves outstanding from each side of said journal box, braces outstanding from said journal box and connecting said shelves, movable means associated with some of said shelves for frictionally engaging said side frame, and a double coil spring at each side of said box for supporting said side frame, said braces centering some of said springs, one coil of said spring acting against one of said shelves, and another coil of said spring acting against said movable means.

17. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and a journal box are arranged for relative vertical movement, the combination of, upper and lower shelves outstanding from each side of said journal box, movable means associated with each of said lower shelves and arranged to frictionally engage said side frame, and an inner and outer coil spring at each side of said journal box for supporting said side frame; said inner coil spring being carried by said movable means, and said outer coil spring being carried by said upper shelf.

18. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and a journal box are arranged for relative vertical movement, the combination of, vertically spaced shelves carried by said journal box, movable means associated with one of said shelves and frictionally engaging said side frame, an outer coil spring extending between the other of said shelves and side frame for the support of the latter, and a coil spring within said outer coil spring and extending through said last named shelf for acting on said movable means. 19. In a railway car truck wherein a side frame and a journal box are arranged for relative vertical movement, the combination of, angularly disposed shelves carried by said journal box, m9vable means carried by one of said shelves and being directed toward said side frame for the creation of frictional forces to snub said vertical movement, an inner and outer coil spring supporting said side frame, one of said coil springs being carried by one of said shelves, and the other of said coil springs being carried by said movable means.

20. In a railway car truck whe'rii'i a side frame and a journal box are arranged for relative vertical movement, the combination of, vertically spaced angularly disposed shelves on said journal box, shoe means carried by one of said shelves and extending through a plane of said other shelf, said shoe means frictionally engaging said side frame for snubbing said vertical movement, and coil spring means; said coil spring means being carried by said last named shelf and shoe means.

21. In a railway truck wherein a side frame and a journal box are arranged for relative vertical movement, the combination of, vertically spaced angularly disposed shelves carried by said journal box below a top wall thereof, a shoe carried by one of said shelves and having means extending above and below an extended plane of said other shelf and being within the horizontal limits of said journal box, said shoe means frictionally engaging said side frame for snubbing said vertical movement, and coil spring means for supporting said side frame and being carried by said last named shelf and shoe.

22. In a railway truck wherein a side frame and a journal box are arranged for relative vertical movement, the combination of, vertically spaced angularly disposed shelves carried by said journal box, a shoe carried by one of said shelves and having means extending above and below an extended plane of said other shelf, said shoe means frictionally engaging said side frame for snubbing said vertical movement, a plurality of side frame supporting spring means associated with said last named shelf and shoe, and one of said spring means extending through one of said shelves.

23. In a railway truck wherein a side frame and a member are arranged for relative vertical movement, the combination of, vertically spaced angularly disposed shelve associated with said member below a top wall thereof, a shoe associated with one of said shelves and frictionally engaging said side frame for snubbing said vertical movement, and a plurality of load supporting spring means interposed between said side frame and member; one of said spring means extending through the other of said spring means and one of said shelves for urging said shoe into association with one of said shelves and into frictional engagement with said side frame.

GLENN F. COUCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,029,749 Webb Feb. 4, 1936 2,132,387 Barrows Oct. 11, 1938 2,138,449 Hallquist Nov. 29, 1938 2,207,848 Barrows July 16, 1940 2,355,450 Leese Aug. 8, 1944 2,413,458 Light Dec. 31, 1946 

